This week has been busy as usual!
Lots of fun stuff going on! Changes going into play, rumors of transfers flying
about, and here we all are, still moving forward the work of the Lord. Miracles
have been happening mission wide since the missionary department was here, and
many of the Lords children are finding access to the atonement like never
before.
Something happened this
week in church that just about made my life. I do not say it to boast of me but
tell of how the Lord can use us. I've felt since early on when I was
transferred here that my job was to get the member missionary work moving forward.
When I arrived there were some burnt bridges and some members were cold,
gossiping, and even stand-offish. We had such blessings with member work in the
last area that I identified it quickly as something that needed a boost, and
the Lord has blessed us with guidance and comfort as my companions and I have
worked to repair past damages. Some
events have happened and some kind and loving things said and we see bridges
mending and changes happening. One man
who had been offended even said he was to write the president and ask if we
could finish out our missions here.
It has been such a huge blessing to
us and testifies to the work we have done here over the past three months.
It seems like it didn't come a
moment too soon, as I likely won't be in Vienna next week. Transfer calls
haven't come yet, but President Riggs called Elder N to ask him a couple of
questions, and E. N says he doubts I'll be staying... It's a bummer, because I
love this ward and the people we work with, and things are really starting to
move. With our member exchanges, and our FHE programs, we're excited for the
future of this area.
This week was another milestone in
my mission.... First bike ride in the snow!!! So far, We've managed to schedule
well enough that we're walking or getting rides when it's snowy, but last week
we were just flat out riding in the falling snow, and mom; I got a picture. :D
There really is something beautiful about snow. As if Virginia isn't beautiful
enough as it is. Suddenly, when everything is white and pure, and the majority
of people are inside, and the muffled sounds leaves you to your own thoughts
and the soft crunching of your tires, It's just beautiful.
Yesterday, our district went to D.C.
for the day, and it was one of the coolest trips I've taken! A member of our
ward works in the office of Senator Lee from Utah, and they hooked us up! We
got a behind the scenes tour and saw all sorts of stuff we normally couldn't
see. It was probably almost a 4 hour tour with all sorts of history and
information and awesomeness! It was amazing! We got to go in "senator only"
places, and even got to go to the Senate's gift shop (which is much better
priced than the rest of D.C. I might add). It was awesome!
I'm still trying to ship your
Christmas stuff. There's one more thing I can't find a box to ship it in, but
it's coming....
Our district meetings have been
really good lately! We've been doing a lot of practice teaching with the things
that we learned from the Missionary Department meeting, and it's very eye
opening how simple this gospel can really be taught. Practicing more and more
just seems to help me realize that more and more. It's definitely true that
"by small and simple things are great things brought to pass." Such
simple truths can change lives so drastically. It's incredible to be a part of
it.
Well, rumors are definitely true.
5-week transfers are likely on the horizon... Still RUMOR though. We'll know
for sure before long. Many area splits and double-companionships are on their
way. It's an exciting time to be here in the mission field. It's a blessing to
be a part of the Lord's great work.
I hope everyone is well! We'll talk
to you soon! With some transfer news!
-Elder Hodgson
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